Assistive technology resources
This list of general assistive technology resources* is for people with a disability and their families, carers and friends, as well as for service providers and education professionals. It includes:
- app guides
- provider accessibility
- Government resources
- multimedia, blogs and wikis
- disability-specific resources
- industry resources
- databases
- assistive technology and education resources.
It is recommended that you consult with a professional for assistance to help you with evaluating and trialling assistive technology solutions that may be appropriate for you.
App guides
- the Apps for AAC guide by Jane Farrall, available on the Spectronics website
- the APPS Index A-Z, from Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsn), with reviews also available on the a4cwsn YouTube channel
- 2011 Guide to the Best Apps for Individuals Living with Paralysis, published by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
- App list: app icon, title with link, and description provided; a Scribd document by Eric Sailers.
Provider accessibility
- Apple accessibility
- Microsoft accessibility
- Adobe accessibility
- Telstra Disability Services
- Optus Disability Services
- Nokia accessibility
- Motorola accessibility.
Government resources
- The Learning Place, the Department of Education, Training and Employment's eLearning environment: see the Professional communities resources, including Assistive Technology
- the Department of Education, Training and Employment's Smart Classrooms showcase
- the Victorian Government's iPads for Learning website. It includes:
- classroom ideas for teachers
- education apps that are organised in categories by topic and subject area—including apps for students with disabilities.
Multimedia, blogs and wikis
- Atwiki, an encyclopedia wiki on assistive technology provided by the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access at Georgia Institute of Technology
- Vision Australia's adaptive technology podcasts
- Squidalicious: the adventures of Leo and his potty-mouthed mom—parenting, autism, iPads and geekery, a blog recommended by Griffith University researchers Wendi Beamish and Wayne Lang.
Disability-specific resources
You can go directly to resources for:
Autism
- Autism Centre of Excellence, or ACE, a joint initiative between Griffith University and the AEIOU Foundation
- AssistiveWare, the makers of Proloquo2GoTM; with videos available on the AssistiveWare YouTube channel
- Lois Jean Brady (2011), Apps for Autism: An essential guide to over 200 effective apps for improving communication, behavior, social skills and more!, recommended by Griffith University researcher Wendi Beamish
- Squidalicious: the adventures of Leo and his potty-mouthed mom—parenting, autism, iPads and geekery, a blog by author Shannon Des Roches Rosa; recommended by Griffith University researchers Wendi Beamish and Wayne Lang.
Physical disability
- 2011 Guide to the Best Apps for Individuals Living with Paralysis, published by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
- Jocelyn Bartlem, the coordinator for ART for SPINE, a not-for-profit organisation that raises money so new equipment can be purchased for Queensland's Spinal Injuries Unit, recommends the following product suppliers:
Visual disability
- David Woodbridge, a Technology Consultant at Vision Australia, has shared his story about using assistive technology with Disability Online. Information for people who are blind or have low vision is available on the Vision Australia website, including:
Speech- or hearing-related disability
- Australian Communication Exchange, a national not-for-profit organisation, offers services such as Silent Tweets: a free community broadcasting app; Smart Auslan: access to audio tours for the Deaf and hearing impaired; the Captioned Telephone; and the Video Relay Service and Video Relay Interpreting.
- the Newell Network provides telecommunication solutions for people with complex communication needs. The website includes a forum where people can ask questions relating to telecommunications issues they are experiencing.
- Telecommunications and Deafblind Australians, a report published on the ACCAN website
- Better Hearing Australia's Assistive technology information
- National Relay Service
- the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) allows people to search for a mobile phone based on the physical features of the phone, and accessibility features. You can use the search tool online.
Down syndrome
-
the DSAQ Guide to Apps, 2nd edition.
Industry resources
- Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
- International Alliance of Assistive Technology Information Providers
- LifeTec Queensland, and Independent Living Centres Australia
- Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): see the guide to Buying a mobile phone service and The Online Shopper's Checklist. Also see the article Classified scammers advertising smartphones and tablets online on the ACCC's SCAMwatch website
- Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, the publisher of the Mobile Phone Industry Good Practice Guide: Accessibility for People with Disabilities
- Australian Communications and Media Authority: see Access to disability services
- the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy: see information for people with disability
- World Health Organization.
Databases
- Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)—search under Assistive Technology
- AbleData Resources in Australia—including links to manufacturers and distributors; as well as Links A to Z (including all of the links on the website; note: many of the links direct to US resources).
- Adaptech Research Network's Adaptive Technology Database.
*The Queensland Government does not endorse any of the suggestions included on this list, which has been developed in consultation with community organisations, educators, researchers and other professionals, as well as parents and people with a disability.
